Podcast Episodes
The Odd Fellow Concert Lounge
In this episode, Michael Balcom, co-founder of The Odd Fellow Concert Lounge in Wyandotte, shares insights about the vibrant local music scene, the historical significance of the venue, and the community-driven mission of Be Well My Friends.
The discussion highlights the growth of Wyandotte as a nightlife destination, the grassroots efforts to support local musicians, and the various fundraising initiatives aimed at helping those in need within the community.
Michael emphasizes the importance of collaboration, volunteerism, and the joy of live music as a means to foster community spirit and support local causes.
Levitator
We finally caught up with the psych rock band, Levitator, that hails from Petosky and Traverse City. In this episode, they discuss their journey from a country cover band to a psych rock ensemble. We touch on their creative process and the dynamics of being a six-piece band.
Levitator talks about how Northern Michigan music scene is different than playing downstate with the pros and cons. We reminisce on first time they played at The Pyramid Scheme with Ficus, Carbon Decoy and Overdrive Orchestra.
They share insights on their latest EP, the importance of live performances, and their plans for future music, emphasizing the friendships and connections formed along the way.
Connor Meston / Rap Roots Media
While we were at Michigan Music Alliance’s Music Econ Summit earlier this year, we had the opportunity to interview violist, Connor Meston, and founder of Rap Roots Media, Brayden Flodin.
Connor shares his unique journey as a violist, discussing his collaborations with various bands and the challenges of navigating the music industry.
Brayden, on the other hand, delves into his experiences as a music marketer and podcaster, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in music.
James Hughes - Triumph Music Academy
James Hughes, director and founder of Triumph Music Academy, shares his journey from aspiring musician to music educator and entrepreneur.
He discusses the challenges he faced in the music industry, the founding of his music academy, and the importance of providing opportunities for students.
James emphasizes the importance of curiosity, creativity, and collaboration in the arts, and how social media can be leveraged as a tool for growth and connection.
This interview occurred at Michigan Music Alliance's Music Econ Summit in Grand Rapids.
AV House
We had the opportunity to interview Andrew from AV House at the Michigan Econ Summit put on by the Michigan Music Alliance earlier this year. He talked about how his company is at the intersection of creativity and technology in the music industry.
He shares insights on how AV House supports artists and venues by bridging the gap between artistic expression and technical execution.
The discussion highlights the importance of building long-term relationships within the music community and adapting to the ever-evolving landscape of music technology.
Summer Music w/ John Sinkevics
We welcome back John Sinkevics, editor and publisher of Local Spins, to talk about the plethora of outdoor live music concerts and festivals in Michigan.
John walks us through a variety of festivals from the new ones such as Rock Lansing to long time staples such as Electric Forest, Wheatland, Buttermilk, and Blissfest.
He also shared insights into the challenges of organizing festivals, the importance of outdoor concerts, and the evolving landscape of music.
Check out the full festival guide on Local Spins.
Annagail
In this engaging conversation, Jared and Jennifer from
Annagail share their journey as a band that has evolved over 26 years. They discuss their recent creative explosion, resulting in 12 albums in just four months, fueled by Jennifer's near-death experience that transformed their artistic approach.
The duo discusses their journey through personal and professional challenges, emphasizing the importance of resilience and the healing power of music, all while maintaining a cosmic perspective on life and creativity.
They reflect on the release of their first live album recorded at the former Seven Steps Up venue (now the Temple Lounge), which captures the essence of their musical journey.
The discussion also touches on their future plans, including touring and new ventures, highlighting their commitment to creativity and connection with their audience.
Daisybox
DaisyBox shares his journey as an indie artist, discussing his unique sound, songwriting process, and the evolution of the music.
We discuss his most recent release, Ghost, and the art for this single by Chapel of Ghouls. Plus, we discuss his upcoming single, Sick, planned to release this summer.
He talks about his long-time relationship with producer, Jake Rye, from Social Recording Company and the recent fire that they experienced at their studio.
The discussion highlights the balance between creating music for passion and navigating the music industry, emphasizing the significance of connecting with audiences.
Rip Smidgeon
The band RIP Smidgeon discusses their journey, authenticity, and the meaning behind their name. They share insights about their new album, the transition from a drum machine to live drums, and their plans for upcoming shows.
The band emphasizes the importance of connecting with their audience and creating relatable content, showcasing their unique vibe and camaraderie.
Check out this young, energetic, and creative band.
Taylor DeRousse
In this conversation, Taylor DeRousse discusses her journey as a musician, including the release of her debut album (Running Back To Me), her creative process, and the transition from classical music to indie rock.
She shares insights on songwriting, collaboration, and the importance of live performances, as well as the themes present in her music.
Taylor emphasizes the significance of self-acceptance and personal growth reflected in her work, and she expresses excitement for her upcoming album release show.
Brian Maloney
Brian Maloney, Founder of The Sonic Coast, discusses the thriving music scene in Michigan, highlighting the abundance of talented bands. He talks about how The Sonic Coast has continued to evolve including the new Acoustic Coffee Break segment.
We celebrate local events, including the upcoming Music Econ Summit and The Jammies, and emphasize the importance of supporting local artists. We talked about our insights on emerging artists, bucket list bands, and the significance of buying tickets and merchandise to support the music community.
It was great to catch up with Brian again after our first interview just over a year ago.
Common Molly
We got to sit down with Common Molly, for our latest episode. What a trip our conversation was! This Caledonia band has an aggressive alt rock sound reminiscent of the 90’s (at least Ryan thought so). We learned how much they love touring and playing live, their determination is unmatched! And their auto repair skills.
Bell’s Spring Concert Series
Jennifer Hudson-Prenkert discusses her role in promoting local music through her initiative, Sounds of the Zoo. She shares insights on the importance of community engagement, the challenges faced by local music venues, and her vision for creating a vibrant music scene in Michigan.
The conversation highlights the Spring Concert Series at Bell's in Kalamazoo. She notes the artists performing and the collaboration with them. This series is designed to be appealing and accessible to a broader audience.
Kyle Joe
What a treat. We got to sit down with Kyle Joe! Whether you know him as Chain of Lakes or leading song writing workshops or even playing shows with all sorts of different people like Kylee Phillips, Chris DuPont or Spencer LaJoye…we have to admit, we all have heard of him one way or another. Kyle had some great insight to not only song writing, but just living life and focusing on what’s important in life - even when the unimportant things seem to take over. Join us for an awesome conversation!
The New Models
In this conversation, the members of The New Models discuss their journey as a pop punk band from Lansing, Michigan. They share insights into their formation, the recording process of their debut album, and their plans for upcoming singles (Normal Andy and My TV).
The band members reflect on their songwriting process, musical influences, and the chemistry that drives their collaboration. They also touch on their live performances and the evolution of their sound, emphasizing their commitment to growth and creativity in their music.
Great Lake Records
In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of record production with George Paulin, the owner of Great Lake Records. George shares his expertise on the intricacies of creating lathe cut records, the evolution of records, and the importance of engaging with fans through physical media.
He shares a wealth of knowledge around the various ways records are produced. George talks through the process he believes will bring success to a local musician/band selling their music.
Listen to get a fun education on this area of the music industry
Moon Orchids
In this engaging conversation, Jeff interviews Jacob and Morgan from the band Moon Orchids, discussing their musical journey and the release of their self-titled full-length album.
They share insights into their influences, the creative process behind their music, and their plans for the future, all while highlighting the importance of collaboration and friendship in their artistic endeavors.
DuPont Phillips
In this episode, singer-songwriters Chris Dupont and Kylee Phillips (DupontPhillips as a duo) join us to discuss their musical journeys, creative processes, and the dynamics of collaboration in the music industry. They share insights into their individual styles, upcoming projects, and the importance of community among artists.
This episode is a deep dive into the lives of two passionate musicians who are committed to their craft and to supporting each other in their artistic endeavors. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about music, creativity, and community.
Michigan Music Alliance
Join us in talking with Nicholas James Thomasma, the Executive Director of the Michigan Music Alliance. We talked about ways the Alliance supports bands, artists and Michigan Music as a whole. We also learned how we can help the Michigan Music Community including bands and artists and any other music professionals in the great state of Michigan!